MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Our thanks as always to each and every person who has entrusted their framing to us this year. We would not be here without your support and you choosing to use our business. It is very much appreciated by us both.
2026 will be a bit of a momentous year for us as the business will be celebrating 20 years since we first opened the doors. We can smile at the business plan we wrote back then, compared to where we are now. The direction we have taken the business has not been a straight line, and we would not have had it any other way. Running our own business has allowed us to follow our interests and specialities, to have the determination to learn, discover and explore our industry. To get involved behind the scenes in setting industry standards and the qualifications for other framers. To work to the high standards we would want our own work to receive from others.
We could not have envisaged the economic challenges of the 2008 crash or the 2020 Covid pandemic.
Nor could we have foreseen the technology changes that have allowed our business to flourish, even to the point of this website that was definitely not on the radar as a “must have” business requirement in 2006. All in all there has been a massive development in our business over that time. But we are determined not to stand still and rest on our laurels. As we head towards that anniversary date in June 2026 we will be proud of how far we’ve come as a business and the personal professional development we have each achieved. But we will also look forward to what comes next and how we can continue to push ourselves to the next challenges.
Time now over the festive period to have a rest, reset and important time with our family and friends. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Peaceful and Healthy New Year. We look forward to seeing you in 2026.
Alec and Jo
DECEMBER 2025
We started the month off by submitted our latest article for leading industry magazine 4Walls. This is part of our regular column under the “Ask the Experts” heading (their words!). Our article was a “How to ….” step by step guide for framers on producing platform mounts and sink mounts and when they are useful in a framing package. Odd names, but very useful methods of support for artwork. Platform mounts for items on paper and sink mounts for items on board and are particularly useful with textiles. They are just some of the methods we use on a daily basis in our own workshop to allow us to safely support framed items without the use of any adhesives on the work itself. In fact the items we photographed for the article were customer pieces that we had on the workbench on that day.
So why do we create a “sink mount”?
It is a simple idea that create a bed for the artwork, board or textile piece to sit into. In this case it was a cross-stitch of a sailing boat. Using a sink mount supports the artwork on all sides, and avoids any tapes or adhesives being attached to it. It also fills the gaps around the artwork under the mount so that there isn’t an unsightly bowing that can show gaps from the front. A sink mount allows the framer to create a solid, supported mount package for artwork.
What is the method to create it?
We cut the mount. For this order the customer had chosen a triple layer showing a red and blue layer under the more neutral top colour. We bonded the layers together, then we cut an undermount (this is the board that goes behind the artwork) to the same size. We also cut foamboard strips wider than the mount borders. The cross-stitch itself had already been laced onto a conservation grade support board with wadding added to the face of the board. Lacing is a traditional method of support, and if done correctly it is a gentle method and fully reversible.
We build the foamboard strips around the artwork using a pinwheel method until we have reached the same depth as the artwork we are supporting. The mount is positioned on top and the foamboard strips are cut to size. Finally we hinge undermount to the back and the mount package is complete.
Why do these methods of support matter?
As we mentioned last month, poor framing techniques and the use of inappropriate materials cause very real damage to a lot of artwork. Fully reversible methods are readily available but lack of understanding or the desire to shave a few minutes or save a few pennies means many framers choose not to use them. We take pride in not only using them where appropriate but also teaching them to the framing students who attend our training courses.
We cannot say it often enough – good framing goes far beyond four bits of wood. What happens inside the frame really does matter.
NOVEMBER 2025
One of the saddest and most frustrating jobs for any framer, is having to take apart a badly framed item and do remedial work to undo some of the damage caused. One of the main threats to any artwork is damage from unsuitable framing materials or inappropriate framing techniques. It is something we teach and features heavily in all the framing exams. Simple, reversible methods of support are often disregarded in favour of low cost, time efficient methods that actively cause harm.
Unfortunately with framing, it is what is happening inside a frame, unlikely to be seen by the customer, that causes the problems. Which only rear their head when damage has already been done. Acid damage, cockling and buckling of artwork, artwork slipping, UV light damage and so on. Sometimes it goes beyond that, with aggressive adhesives used that leave sticky residue or marks. Things that are easily not done, but lack of knowledge or a desire to cut corners and save time and money on the correct materials means they are used because “the customer will never know”. Plus of course, times change. What was acceptable years ago, may now have been replaced with improved techniques and materials.
How do we do things differently?
We spend our time educating ourselves on the very best and latest the industry has to offer. We have a “toolbox” of methods we can draw on from our decades of experience that allow us to use the right thing, at the right time.
This was highlighted this month with three beautiful hand crafted feltworks brought in because they had rippled and were bowing in the frame. Each one a unique piece of art. Mounted and framed by the artist themselves alongside their own framer in the last few months. And each one damaged by the way it was done.
Use of aggressive double sided carpet tape, lack of support around the artwork itself causing the mount to bow, squashed feltwork up against the glass. All things that could have so easily been done differently. Our customer, who had spent good money on them, was devastated when they were opened up. Luckily we were able to rescue them and put it right for her. Jo used a full support method of stitching – gentle, reversible support – and this photo shows how many stitches were involved in just one of the pieces. We then supported and spaced the work correctly. Easy methods that take care and attention, but aren’t rocket science. Because what happens to your artwork inside the frame, really DOES matter to us.
OCTOBER 2025
A month full of exams conducted for framers around the UK – held here in our Dawlish workshop and at a supplier location in Birmingham. Followed by lots of training days. But alongside that we filled our time with plenty of bespoke framing orders.
With Remembrance Sunday in the coming weeks we saw a flourish of military memorabilia for framing. Family collections with medals and other items, being protected and preserved for future generations. Alec is a recognised expert in the framing world for his knowledge of military history and his dedication to ensuring medals are correctly displayed. As part of that we gave a talk to the members of The Fine Art Trade Guild at their October online meeting. Over the course of a few hours we discussed different support methods for medals and other 3D items, the importance of the Order of Precedence and answered a huge number of questions from other framers.
SEPTEMBER 2025
A bit of a short month for us as we are only in the workshop for the first two weeks and then the last day of September. After another busy summer we are heading off on our annual industry get-together. We will be meeting up with our peer group of fully qualified framers, accredited trainers and industry examiners from around the UK and The Netherlands. A chance to bounce ideas, share feedback on training and exams, problem solve and share information on projects. This year we are meeting up in The Netherlands and are looking forward to a busy time. Because of our trip which we’re then extending to include a short Autumn Break, the workshop will be closed for customer appointments from Saturday 13th September through to Monday 29th September inclusive.
Don’t Forget Devon Open Studios is on
A chance to visit artists in their studios or in pop-up exhibitions and galleries. We have the FREE Guides available in store and look for the signs around the country. The event finishes on Sunday 21st September.
New Mount Colours and New Frame Ranges
It’s always nice to have a refresh and this month we are delighted to increase our range of Conservation level mountboards. A new swathe of vibrant colours and rich tones from Crescent Mountboards are already in use and proving very popular. Added to these we have new moulding ranges to update our walls. When we return from our Autumn Break we will be having a full refresh of the chevron walls as we head towards the busy end of year period.
AUGUST 2025
Devon Open Studios starting soon
The 2025 Guides are now in store and available to pick up. Loads of locations close by and throughout the county, all handily arranged geographically. As an added bonus, if you go to visit “The Coolest Colour” featuring locally based internationally renowned artist Jane Perkins and Gillian Taylor, remember to take your Guide with you. The exhibition is in Powderham Castle and the Guide gives you free entry throughout the Open Studios event.
Social Media Update
We took a big decision this month to step away from Social Media platforms. So our Facebook and Instagram accounts have now joined our old Twitter feed in laying dormant. We have taken the decision for a number of reasons. Not least because of some of the toxic and dishonest content that is pushed. But also the drive for AI driven content that has the real potential to damage the artistic industries. We are grateful to our followers over the years for their support. We will continue to post on Google updates and here on our website.
Juggling everything
Another big thank you to our customers for your patience waiting for textile framing items. Jo had an operation on her hand back in May that came with a 3 month delay before she could use her hands again for active framing work. Recovery, which is ongoing, continues to progress well and Jo is slowing working through the backlog that had been waiting for her return!
Alec has been amazing (as always!) since Jo’s operation in keeping things going. He’s stayed innovative and creative and completed a huge array of different jobs over the past few months. Hitting deadlines and keeping the show on the road. We are both looking forward to another breather when we head off for our annual industry get together next month.
Any framing to report??
Believe it or not we have been doing plenty of framing! Keeping ourselves very busy. We’ve also added some new ranges to the mix with a full reshuffle of our chevron walls happening next month.
JULY 2025
Well technology certainly caused a few hiccups for us this month!! While we were relaxing on holiday our website crashed – taking us offline just when we needed to let people know we’d be back after our break. At the same time our answerphone reverted to our standard message instead of our holiday one – implying we were here and not responding. Definitely not the level of customer service you’ve come to expect from us. We’ve spent time on our first morning back contacting everyone who left us messages or emails. But we do want to say sorry to anyone who wondered what was going on, and our thanks to those customers who let us know the website wasn’t working. Thanks also to Ian Birdsey for getting the website back online within hours of us contacting him, even though he was also on holiday at the time!
JUNE 2025
We started the month with a sneaky extra day off as we celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary. We felt that was worthy of a celebratory day together away from the workshop! Then we’ve been busy clearing the decks before we head off on our summer break. During which time we will raise a glass on 26th June to celebrate 19 years of The Framing Lot, having established the business together in 2006. We’re looking forward to our 20th birthday celebrations next year. For now we finish at noon on Saturday 14th June. Returning to work on Tuesday 8th July. See you then!
MAY 2025
A month stacked with oversize pieces and textile framing – sometimes both! Lots of problem solving to keep us busy. From a treasured, only surviving copy of an architect drawing of a long demolished viaduct. A Chinese silk stitched image featuring 100 embroidered birds, damaged by previous framing and rescued to help preserve it for the future. An antique Japanese Kimono that had been lovingly restored by The Royal School of Needlework. Each piece brought its own challenges. Every one carefully looked after.
But the textile work didn’t stop there. We re-framed two collections of embroideries, giving them a refresh and removing previous incorrect or unsuitable and damaging framing materials, methods and techniques. It is hugely satisfying to hand them back knowing they are better preserved and protected for the future.
APRIL 2025
This was a busy month for bespoke framing and our highlight was a set of William Widgery original watercolours of Dartmoor. These had been previously framed but they were looking a bit tired and dated. The request was for a gilded ripple frame and new mounts. Alec got to work adapting a barewood moulding from specialist supplier Rose and Hollis. He added additional depth to the moulding to accommodate the glazing and mount package. Once seamlessly joined he prepared and gilded the frames. A beautiful job for some stunning and delicate images.
We welcomed the latest Larson Juhl Scholars to the workshop for training mid-month. Two intensive but rewarding days of education designed specifically by us.
MARCH 2025
For many years now we’ve been proud contributors to the Fine Art Trade Guild’s Technical Helpline. This member resource allows framers to contact us to ask questions on anything framing related. During Jo’s time as a Director of the Guild, she also provided business support and mediation services to framing businesses around the UK as part of their Guild membership. Alongside our roles as Guild Accredited Trainers and Guild Certified Examiners, we are also on the “Ask the Experts” panel via the UK’s largest framing supplier, Larson Juhl UK. Find out more by clicking here.
As part of that, we write a column for their industry magazine 4Walls. This is a technical column giving hints and tips and design ideas. In March we saw our latest column published, alongside a reprinted article we wrote for the Guild’s Art + Framing Today magazine. Our new article was all about sub frames and providing that extra support within a frame package. The reprinted article was written by Alec on the Order of Precedence for Medals. Something many framers get very wrong – when it is so important to get it right.
We finished the month with the start of our Spring Break. Heading back to work in early April, ready for the month ahead.
FEBRUARY 2025
February was the month of oversize projects. For example a mirror over 2m long, two signed sport shirts in one large frame, large painted canvases and an antique kimono. Each one needed to be carefully problem solved to ensure the long-term integrity of the framing. While keeping true to the need for full reversibility with our methods of mounting and support.
But Alec also got to stretch his carpentry skills a bit too. We started with two pairs of historically significant boxing gloves that needed a suitable framing solution. 
We sourced antique hooks and screws and created deep box frames. These were carefully painted and finished to blend seamlessly with the outer frame. The deep box was then lined with linen mountboard and the gloves themselves were supported using carefully hidden stitches and magnets. This was in order to give a sense of the gloves hanging in the changing room after the boxing match. We, and we’re pleased to say the customer as well, were delighted with the finished result. A great example of creativity and allowing ideas to flow at the design desk.
We also squeezed in a bit more training in February. We were pleased to welcome a professional working framer from Buckinghamshire and another from Hampshire to the workshop. Each one spent two days with us on a variety of topics.
JANUARY 2025
We returned to work refreshed and relaxed after a lovely break, including a magical trip to the Outer Hebrides.
January is proving to be a busy month. After a hectic 2024, it is great to be having such a positive start to 2025. Of course, it is always good to have a busy order book – with a proper mix of jobs to get out teeth into. We were delighted to welcome Robin and Jenny Child back to the workshop on our first day back. Robin is a amazing and highly regarded art tutor and his daughter Jenny curates and guides his teaching diary as well as his exhibition schedule. We are putting together a selection of new hand-finished moulding samples for his latest works, which will be completed in the coming months in preparation for his next exhibition. We have information on his courses for 2025 available to pick up from the design desk.
Our own teaching schedule is also off to a flying start. In the final week of the month we welcomed both Hayley and Clare to the workshop. Hayley took her first framing qualification – the Guild Certified Framer exam. While Clare joined us for a Foundation Week as she looks to become a full time professional bespoke framer. We also have more exams and students booked with us next month. But we are careful to limit how much time we spend on teaching and being examiners through the year. Because our focus is always on our bespoke framing work for our valued customers – we never forget that is our primary role.
Thank you for reading!
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our monthly news. You can visit our News pages from previous years by clicking on the links: 2022 News : 2023 News : 2024 News
Alec and Jo